10 Great Workplaces for Millennials

Millennials share the inside picture of what makes these ten companies great – and you’re in for some surprises.

Gen Y employees speak for themselves in Great Rated!’s ranking of the Ten Great Workplaces for Millennials. Intuitive Research and Technology gets highest honors among a selection of companies that was determined through surveys of employees younger than 35 years of age.

See below for our methodology.

While the media often paints a picture of Millennials as focused on kudos from bosses and the social responsibility of their companies, our study found young employees also concerned with fair pay, a say in decisions and competent leaders. Read on to find what Millennials appreciate in these great workplaces.

Intuitive Research and Technology

balance work life and personal life

onsite fitness center

fully-paid medical coverage

unlimited tuition reimbursement

a culture that values being “best dressed” and expects professionalism

Millennials at Hunstville, Alabama-based technology services firm Intuitive Research and Technology can have a life outside of work: 98 percent say the company encourages employees to balance work life and personal life. In addition, Intuitive has perks including an onsite fitness center, fully-paid medical coverage and unlimited tuition reimbursement.

The company’s dress code may come as a surprise to those who expect Millennials to want to wear flip-flops to work: Intuitive has a culture that values being “best dressed” and expects professionalism in employees’ personal presentation.

Says one Millennial at Intuitive Research and Technology: “I enjoy working with each member of my team, all the way up through. There is a great sense of family, everyone truly cares, and I believe that each person at Intuitive is cheering for me to be successful.”

David Weekley Homes

97 percent feel like they make a difference

stresses integrity and giving back

Millennials at Houston-based homebuilder David Weekley Homes take the company’s tagline--"Building Dreams, Enhancing Lives"—to heart: 97 percent feel like they make a difference there. The same percentage says “My work has special meaning: this is not ‘just a job.’”

Founder and Chairman David Weekley inspires his younger charges with a “servant leadership” ethos that stresses integrity and giving back.

Says one Millennial: “Mr. Weekley puts such an emphasis on philanthropy that it is truly touching. I am in awe at the steps he has taken to better our communities near and far.”

Allied Wallet

People look forward to coming to work

killer office views

company’s frequent gifts, special events, fun

free Friday lunches

More than 90 percent are less than 35

Millennials at Los Angeles-based payment processing firm Allied Wallet wake up on weekdays with a spring in their step: 96 percent say that “People look forward to coming to work here.” That’s not surprising given their killer office views and the company’s frequent gifts, special events, funand free Friday lunches where everybody sits and eats together.

Allied Wallet is 12 years old, and its employees are young as well. More than 90 percent are less than 35 years of age.

Says one Millennial: “The office happy hour is unreal. The people are all off the hook.”

CEO Scott Scherr has created a Silicon Valley culture in South Florida, in part through “48 Hours” events where employees can work on pet projects for a 48-hour period as long as it’s related to company goals.

Says one Millennial: “I feel at home when I come to work, where everyone is happy to see me, and ready toI have never had a bad day of work at Ultimate. My manager is so personable and fun, while also having a sense of authority and management. I feel comfortable around her knowing she treats me with respect, and also trusts me to get the job done.”

Google

Still among the coolest of companies for the younger set, with its famous perks, do-no-evil mantra and world-changing power: 99 percent of Millennial Googlers are “proud to tell others I work here.”

It’s not just about the benefits (which include onsite cafes, wellness centers and services ranging from dry cleaning to bike repair to oil changes). Millennials also groove on Google’s smart leadership: 96 percent give management credit for running the business competently.

Says one Millennial: “I am challenged to bring great ideas to the table, and those ideas are valued and encouraged. There is also a significant, dedicated initiative to ensuring employee well-being. Access to gyms, relaxation classes, massages, and delicious organic food make Google incredible.”

DPR Construction

putting safety at the center

safety awards

ties construction jobs to bigger purposes

This contracting and construction management firm based in the San Francisco Bay Area hits the mark with Millennials in part by putting safety at the center: 99 percent rate DPR a physically safe place to work. No wonder—the company offers safety awards and once gave an employee a new Ford F-150 truck when he reached 30,000 consecutive work hours without an accident.

DPR ties construction jobs to bigger purposes. When the company reached a milestone on a project to expand a biotech manufacturing facility, it invited a cancer patient who would benefit from the drugs to be manufactured at the plant to speak to workers.

Says one Millennial: “DPR continues to empower employees and remain true to the core values and mission that it ‘Exist to Build Great Things,’ and you really feel like you are making a difference alongside some amazing people.”

The Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

high-integrity leadership

high levels of camaraderie

friendly place

New consultant hires can borrow up to $100,000 for a home

Millennials love the way this strategy consulting firm blends high-impact work, high-integrity leadership and high levels of camaraderie: despite a rigorous selection process for employees, 99 percent of Millennials at BCG say it is a “friendly place to work.”

BCG gives a hand up to those starting out as homeowners. New consultant hires can borrow up to $100,000 from the company--at low interest rates--to make a down payment on the purchase of a home.

Says one Millennial: “It doesn't feel like a corporate setting. Everyone knows one another and is comfortable chatting as such. It feels like everyone is just a big family. I can be supporting the CEO and it would be just like chatting with a friend. Completely comfortable and inclusive.”

Acuity

fun place

wacky events

management team that is forthcoming and approachable

This Sheboygan, Wisc.-based firm has managed to make the insurance business a blast for Millennials: 97 percent call Acuity a “fun place to work.” That has to do with wacky events like a chocolate fair, a circus, lunch-time comedians, game shows and a talent contest.

Acuity appeals to employees of all ages. It was the #1 medium-size workplace in America in 2013.

Says one Millennial: “I have never worked for a company that has an upper management team that is so forthcoming and approachable. They are always praising us and you can tell we actually are making a difference in the organization. I love coming to work and doing my job; it's just an added bonus that we often get special 'treats' like food and gifts as well as parties to celebrate our success as a company.”

Quicken Loans

fun, egalitarian culture

employees are treated as full members

CEO and other members of the leadership team are approachable

contribute to the community

no 'boss' or 'manager'-- they have leaders

This Detroit-based financial services firm wins over Millennials with a fun, egalitarian culture: 98 percent of younger employees say “I am treated as a full member here regardless of my position.” Indeed, each new team member is given the personal cell phone numbers of the CEO and other members of the leadership team.

Quicken moved from the suburbs to downtown Detroit in 2010, helping to spur an urban renewal effort. Given the dedication to Detroit and other good works, 98 percent of young employees say “I feel good about the ways we contribute to the community.”

Says one Millennial: “There is no 'boss' or 'manager'--we have leaders who are willing to help all of our team members. It's 100 % open door for any person in the company. You are provided with the atmosphere and materials to be successful here. I'm blessed to have been given this opportunity!”

World Wide Technology

family feel and flexibility

take time off when needed

team mentality

Millennials at this St. Louis-based technology services company dig its family feel and flexibility: despite long hours that can come with competing for and completing projects, 95 percent of young employees say “I am able to take time off from work when I think it's necessary.”

World Wide Technology co-founder Jim Kavanaugh is a former pro soccer player. His background in sports helps set the tone for the team mentality that permeates the business--96a "family" or "team" feeling at the firm.

Says on Millennial: “I genuinely feel that many of the people care about me and what is going on in my life. They have also allowed me to progress rapidly and at such a young age, not questioning if I can handle it because I'm young. I came in as an intern and they allowed me to hire on full time and become a supervisor. Very few organizations would allow such a young person to progress so quickly through the ranks, recognizing that merit can be proven at any age.”